Lucien approached Horatia, hating the distance between them, and scooped her up out of the chair to hold her to his chest. She fisted her hands in his waistcoat and buried her face in the crook of his neck. The intimate seeking of protection and reassurance made his heart turn over. Even after being cold to her for so long, she still trusted that he would care for her. She amazed him.

Lucien banded his arms about her back, tightly grasping her to his body. He layered gentle ...